The improvisation workshop last Thursday was a fun and much needed break from the stress of prelim studies and essay submissions. Perhaps not as academically stimulating as a table talk on the latest scientific advancement, this event felt much more relaxed and casual, and it had the potential to be as useful as you were willing to make it. For anyone who ever gets even remotely shy, the small-group, low-stakes setting offered a great opportunity for operating outside of your comfort zone, and a few of the activities served as great practice for public speaking. As someone who dabbled briefly in theater throughout high school, it was interesting to receive instruction in the field of improv specifically, which I hadn’t explored much before. The instructors for the workshop were members of Cornell’s own Whistling Shrimp Improv Comedy Group, and all three were very supportive throughout the entire process. Not only did the members offer us some insightful tips to use even outside of improvisation, but they made each exercise a little less painful by suffering through some of the more awkward ones right along with us. 

In the past, I’ve always thought that the performing arts helped with giving speeches/presentations– it introduces you to different delivery techniques, helps you overcome stage fright, gets you used to the attention of an audience, etc.. But improv takes that preparation a step further by sharpening your ability to ad lib, or think on your feet, and speak without any prior practice on the particular topic. You can’t always memorize or plan ahead of time for every aspect of a presentation, and having the skills of an improv actor can come in very handy when this is the case. The workshop was very fun, and I would recommend scholars attend any similar event in the future!